FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Cumberland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) held an Oath of Office ceremony for two supervisors in the I.B. Julian Auditorium of the Cumberland County Agriculture Center at 301 E. Mountain Dr. Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024.

C. Wayne Collier Jr., who has been reappointed by the N.C. Soil and Water Conservation Commission, and Joshua Ballard, who was elected in November, received the oath of office from North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge John M. Tyson. County Commissioner Henry Tyson also attended the ceremony.

The Board has five members who serve four-year terms. Three are elected and two are appointed by the state commission. Terms are staggered.

Following the oaths, the Board elected Collier as chairman, Kevin Riddle as vice chair and Ellison L. Ellison as secretary/treasurer. Board member Monique McMillan did not attend the meeting.

“I am honored to be reappointed and elected as Chair of the Cumberland Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors,” said Collier. “I look forward to working alongside my fellow Board members and the community to ensure we leave a lasting, positive impact on our soil and water resources for future generations. Together, we can continue to make Cumberland County a model of environmental stewardship.”

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve my community and for citizens placing their trust in me,” said Ballard.

As one of 96 such districts in North Carolina, the Cumberland SWCD uses a combination of technical, financial and educational resources to promote the conservation, improvement and sustainability of soil and water resources for future generations.

For more information about Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District, visit cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/soil-water-group/soil-water. The office is located in the Charlie Rose Agri-Expo Center, Suite 229, at 301 E. Mountain Dr., Fayetteville.